When most people think about a '06 Dodge Ram, "strength" is probably one word that comes to mind. True, with its full-length hydro-formed frame and seriously overhauled suspension, this truck is no weakling.
Yet longtime car audio enthusiast Ken Phillippe, for whom the truck is a daily driver, wanted to add brains to brawn by installing a fully functional CPU in addition to a high-end audio system. Whether the Ram is towing his boat or rolling out to a campsite, Phillippe's ride is capable of doing anything and everything necessary to ensure an enjoyable experience.
The Brain
Acting as the truck's cerebral cortex, there are few things the Drivesoft Alive ALV15 bi-fold cannot do. With a 40GB hard drive, 512MB of ram, and a 10.5-inch WVGA LCD touchscreen, the unit runs on a Windows XP operating system and has WiFi and Bluetooth capabilities. Internal maps, mapping software, and voice prompts provide a powerful navigation system. As a head unit, the ALV15 plays CDs, DVDs, and MP3s. The system even acts as the truck's security system, taking interior pictures and voice recordings when an intruder is detected and sending them to Phillippe's cell phone every 10 seconds.Replacing the factory source unit, the 10.5-inch screen was installed in the center stack of the dash. Phillippe explains, "The screen was cut out and fiberglassed to the dash, then painted." The computer's chassis was mounted under the passenger seat with the mouse and keyboard communicating through a Bluetooth connection. The work was done by Mad Mike of Galpin Autosports.
Monitors
A 7-inch Myron and Davis monitor sits in each headrest with video supplied by the Drivesoft head unit. Passengers in the back seat can listen through headphones or the truck's speakers.
USB Ports
Four USB 2.0 ports in the center dash allow for the connectivity of MP3 players, flash drives, or just about any plug-and-play USB device. Controls for the Rockford Fosgate 3Sixty interface device are visible above them.